Studies analyze the impact on local jobs and the financial impact of the government shutdown in October

By Jennifer Wentz

jwentz@eveningsun.com

@jenni_wentz on Twitter

Updated:
03/06/2014 10:21:14 PM EST

Battlefield monuments are seen behind a line of yellow police tape in Gettysburg National Military Park because of the government shutdown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Jeff Lautenberger -- The Evening Sun

The visitors and their spending supported more than 800 area jobs, the report stated.

"National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy," Park Superintendent Ed Clark said in a news release. "We appreciate the support of our partners and neighbors in Adams County and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."

Additionally, Eisenhower National Historic Site had 53,286 visitors in 2012, supporting 38 local jobs and leading to an additional $2,867,400 spent in the community.

Most visitor spending, about 39 percent, supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores; 27 percent supports hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts; and 20 percent supports other amusement and recreation, according to the report.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis, which was released in February, was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the National Park Service.

Park service revenue made national headlines in October following the 16-day government shutdown, during which many national parks closed their doors.

Nationally, the government shutdown resulted in nearly 8 million fewer visitors to national parks, costing the parks and surrounding communities an estimated $414 million in lost visitor spending, the Interior Department said in an Associated Press report Monday.

In other national park news, Gettysburg National Military Park's Advisory Commission will hold a pubic meeting April 3 at 7 p.m. at the park Museum and Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg.

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The meeting agenda includes an operational update on park activities including the Museum and Visitor Center, battlefield landscape rehabilitation, the development of a park fire management plan, other park projects and a citizens' open forum.

The meeting will also include a special presentation about the history of the Licensed Battlefield Guides at Gettysburg, who will celebrate 100 years of service in 2015.